Foundation and Empire, Isaac Asimov, 1976 Panther, London
Gary’s print
Alex’s print
Chris on seeing his designs realised in Die Sturzflieger and Flash Gordon
Trev’s print (video below in comments)
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I just ordered the larger version of this.
The reason I love this image is bnecause in 1978, while I was still at school and 15, my parents bought me five boxed sets of Doc Smith and Asimov books, some 23 books, all illustrated by CHriss Foss (I think they were all Foss covers- Skylark, Family Dalembert, Lensman, Early Asimov and the Foundation Trilogy)one Christmas. This reflected the benefits of living in the UK, since I think the US editions had very average covers.
I collected more as time went on and I still have them.I schlepped those books around as I worked my way through them slavishly. My school blazer pocket became book shaped. Happy days.
Even though the cover art wasn’t really connected with the contents, the images were inspiring. This triptych has been part of my life for 33 years and I always dreamed – quite literally – of having it as a print. Lovely stuff and worthy of a monumental series.
Great Sci-Fi series. Great covers. When I hang this on my wall I’ll be fifteen again!
Trev Edwards, Preston UK
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Cheers Trev, thanks for your post.
And to recap on my reply to your emailed question in case others are interested: I think Chris’ long suffering art director suggested Chris paint it as triptych so as to increase the possibility of Chris getting the artwork in on time, running late for deadlines was a constant theme for Chris back then!
I have another question, if I may.
Although the ships Chris painted come in all shapes and sizes, many of them carry a common symbol, an eight pointed star, rather like David’s star. There is a red one on the rightmost ship in this image. So I always wondered – and I mean *for years* I wondered – was it a signature of his or was there some hint the ships were from a common fleet or civilisation?
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Hi Trev, I will definitely put the question to Chris, hopefully have a video response soon.
Cheers
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Hi Trev, Here’s the video response.
All best
Imogene
P.S I’m working to improve the video quality, I’ll email you if I fix this.
I got my Foundation and Empire last weekend and got it framed. Absoloutely fabulous. Can’t get over how beautiful the thing appears… the depth of the colour and precision of the printing is beyond anything I expected. Looking forward to seeing the vide, if one is available, of the customising pencil sketch being drawn.
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Hi Trev
That’s brill, I’m really pleased you’re so happy with your print & thanks so much for your comment. I’m having a go at learning iMovie so the vids are better edited. should have the latest vids up by Weds. I’ll email you a link. All best, Imogene.